Designations - LPC

Landmarks Preservation Commission


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Designations

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has designated more than 38,000 historic buildings and sites.

Potential landmarks and historic districts are identified by the Landmarks Preservation Commission through surveys and other Commission-initiated research. Commission surveys and research may include properties suggested by members of the public.

Surveys are inventories of the city's significant buildings, and are planning tools that enable LPC to establish priorities and set goals for designating the next generation of landmarks and historic districts.

After the Commission's Research Department conducts a survey the following occurs:

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Evaluation in Light of Commission Priorities and Other Considerations

The agency assesses potentially meritorious properties in light of many factors, including agency priorities, the agency’s policy of designating resources in all five boroughs, and the importance of the resource in the context of similar and/or already designated resources.

Calendaring

This is the first formal step in the designation process. After a presentation by the Research Staff, the full Commission votes at a public meeting whether to schedule ("calendar") a public hearing on the potential resource. A vote by a majority of the Commissioners present is required to calendar a resource.

Discussion and Designation Report

While a historic district or landmark is under consideration by the full Commission, the Research Department writes a detailed report about the property/ies.

Owners are mailed a draft copy of these reports for review and comment, and so they can participate in the public hearing.

The Commissioners review the draft report and use it, along with public testimony, as the basis for a decision.

Public Hearing

Anyone may testify about a proposed designation before the full Commission. Notices of public hearings are published in the City Record and sent to the property owner, the Department of City Planning, and the affected community boards and elected officials. Notices are also listed on LPC's website.

Before testimony begins at the public hearing, a member of the Research Department makes a brief presentation about the property under consideration for designation.

Commission Vote

The Commission votes on designations at a public meeting. A vote by a majority of the Commissioners (six), is required to approve or deny a proposal for landmark or historic district designation.

If six Commissioners do not vote in favor of designation the resource is taken off the calendar.

By law, landmark designation is effective upon the Commission's vote, and all rules and regulations of the Landmarks Law are applicable.

Within 10 days, LPC files copies of the final report with the City Council and City Planning Commission and sends a Notice of Designation to owners and the City Clerk's Office

City Planning Commission Review Report

For all designations, the City Planning Commission has 60 days to review and submit a report to the City Council about the impacts of designation on zoning, projected public improvements, and any other City development plans.

For historic districts, the City Planning Commission must hold a public hearing prior to issuing its report.

City Council Vote

The City Council has 120 days from the time of the LPC filing to modify or disapprove the designation. A majority vote is required. Council approval is not required.

The Mayor can veto the City Council vote within five days; the City Council can override a Mayoral veto by two-thirds vote within 10 days.